October! It’s been about 7 months now since we received our official nonprofit status and started getting things rolling. It’s also been about 7 months now since the coronavirus shut so many things down. Ventura County is moving from the purple (most restrictive) tier to the red tier, which is good news. There are still two more tiers to move to but it’s encouraging to see things going in the right direction.

Our Facebook and Instagram followings continue to grow. We have almost 270 Facebook followers now and about 290 Instagram followers. If you use either of those platforms please share us and help us reach more cat lovers in Ventura and beyond.

We have added a fundraising “thermometer” to our Fundraisers page so that everyone can see how things are going as we approach opening the lounge. We estimate needing roughly $3000-$4000 per month to run the lounge so we’ve set a goal of raising $10,000 to try and get 3 months of operating expenses in the bank. There won’t be any salaries (at least for a while); all work will be done by volunteers. Money raised will go toward care and safety for the cats we take in plus rent, insurance, utilities, Internet access, etc.

Poppy and Cali went back to Greyfoot so that Cali could have her milk fully dry up in anticipation of being spayed and so that Poppy could be a friend to another foster there named Conrad. Conrad was found on the same property and they are probably cousins. They’ve been adopted together and will go home after their neuter surgeries. Whitney and Sequoia are still here and applications are being accepted for them now, too. Hopefully Ventura County is finally seeing a light at the end of the kitten season tunnel.

We’ve been busy since the last update! Toby and Kelly stayed with us for a few weeks and in that time completely came out of their shells and gained some good weight too. After their spay/neuter surgeries they were each adopted into great homes. It always feels good to have a happily ever after story to tell about our fosters.

About 3 weeks ago we took in a mama cat (Cali) and her three kittens (Sequoia, Whitney, and Poppy). We’re fostering for Greyfoot Cat Rescue and it’s been a delightful experience so far. Joan runs a great organization and I’d encourage you to check them out. Cali has had multiple worm issues but she’s finally past all of that which means she can start putting on some weight. She’s been an excellent mother to her three babies but all that nursing takes its toll. Thankfully, she’s healthy now and has a chance to live a good long life once her babies are weaned.

Since our last post, we’ve raised a little over $500 in fundraisers, donations, and in-kind donations. Mask sales have been phenomenal – we’ve sold nearly 50 so far and still have plenty on hand!

Earlier this week we took a look at a potential space downtown. It was fun to step inside and visualize it as a full-fledged cat lounge! I’ve got a list going of potential spaces. If Ventura County can continue the trend it’s on in terms of daily case counts, testing, and hospitalizations we’ll be that much closer to feeling much safe about opening to the public and being able to maintain a business.

If you have a chance to pick up a copy of The Ventura Breeze we have a nice write-up in the September 9th issue, on page 10. It’s very exciting to see our story in the paper and it will be even more exciting to finally announce a grand opening!

This Saturday is our meet-and-greet at Thille Park in Ventura. It’s an informal event from 9:30-11:00. I’ll be there in a red hat with a cat on it and either a Cassie’s Cats t-shirt or sweatshirt, depending on the weather. Masks and physical distancing will be required. I hope you’ll come out to say hello, meet me (Jennifer), and possibly go home with something for your cat or yourself! I’ll be bringing goodies from the shop and will be able to take credit and debit cards as well as cash and checks. See you there!